More “terrorists” was in the weekend neutralized in a large operation in central Mali, informs France.
For the first time ever, the French military carried out a drone strikes against “terrorists” in Mali. It informs the French ministry of defence on Monday.
the Attack, which was carried out on Saturday, was directed against seven terrorists during an operation in the city of Mopti in the central part of the country.
the ministry of defense informs further that the terrorists were “neutralized”. It is not clear whether they were killed.
This writes the news agency dpa.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, told on Saturday that 33 terrorists were “neutralized” during the same operation.
– In this morning was our soldiers and Barkhane forces able to neutralize the 33 terrorists, said Macron, in a speech on Saturday afternoon, according to the AFP news agency.
Macron stated on the same occasion that the two malian officers, who have been taken hostage by jihadists, have been released.
Operation Barkhane is a French strength, which has fought against terrorism in Mali since 1. august 2014. France has about 4500 soldiers deployed in the Sahel region in the west african country.
Emmanuel Macron to celebrate christmas in côte d’ivoire, together with the posted French forces.
During a speech on Friday, he said that he will strengthen the fight against islamist militants in the african Sahel region.
Thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed during violent conflicts in the great region.
In the last month lost 13 soldiers life when a helicopter crashed in northern Mali.
Helikopterstyrtet happened during a search of the jihadists in the area.
Emmanuel Macron has planned a summit on 13. January with leaders from the five countries, there is a part of the Sahel region. The case of Chad, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Mali – the so-called G5 Sahel group.
the Meeting is expected to provide clarity on France’s military presence in the region.
/ritzau/
